500-Year Old Dutch Hotel Implements Door Locks with Mobile Access

500-Year Old Dutch Hotel Implements Door Locks with Mobile Access

ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions announced the implementation of VingCard Essence with Mobile Access and VingCard C100 door locks at the Hotel Karel de Stoute in Gorinchem, The Netherlands. A recently opened boutique property that blends unique, contemporary décor with a historic setting, Hotel Karel de Stoute is now able to accentuate its 500-year heritage with the sleek appearance of VingCard Essence, while ensuring guest safety and security using the latest advances in data encryption. By also implementing Mobile Access along with the FLEXIPASS Certified Partner app, hotel leadership can also reduce the strain on labor resources, while providing each guest with secure and convenient access to their rooms using their own personal smart device as a digital key.

Steeped in history, Hotel Karel de Stoute's origins date back to the 1400s, with part of the structure belonging to Charles the Bold, thought to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful nobles in Europe. By implementing VingCard Essence with Mobile Access, Hotel Karel de Stout added state-of-the-art security and contemporary appeal, while avoiding the typically commercial and bulky appearance of hospitality industry locks. Leveraging the lock's minimalistic design that consists of only a sleek RFID/BLE reader and door handle visible to guests, VingCard Essence is able to blend in seamlessly with the hotel decor, while still providing industry-leading security protocols that protect against unauthorized keycard cloning. By also implementing C100 E-cylinder locks in specific areas, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions was further able to ensure a secure environment throughout the property, despite doors that are not suited to traditional door lock designs.

"Our property serves as a truly unique experience for our guests, yet like any other location, we encounter the same challenge of needing to provide each guest with total security, while balancing their desire for a seamless and convenient stay," says Audrey van Putten at Hotel Karel de Stoute. "ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions along with FLEXIPASS have allowed us to fully and simultaneously meet our guests' needs, while also freeing our staff from routine tasks, such as issuing keys, allowing them to focus on other areas that enhance overall guest satisfaction."

With Mobile Access functionality on all VingCard Essence doors at the property, arriving guests can simply download the user-friendly FLEXIPASS app onto their personal device, in order to sidestep the front desk and instead go directly to their guestroom. Placing a high priority on guest safety as well as convenience, both Mobile Access and FLEXIPASS come equipped with advanced security measures to ensure that only authorized users are granted access. Designed using ASSA ABLOY's secure Seos technology, Mobile Access first encrypts digital key data which is then transmitted to guest devices using a secure communications channel. Once available on the FLEXIPASS app, the information is then stored within a digital vault, with users only able to gain access to digital keys by entering in the correct passcode. When a device is presented to the appropriate door lock, Mobile Access again utilizes a secure communications channel to deliver digital data to the BLE reader, eliminating any risk of data theft at all times.